Whitman man charged with assaulting police officers

Tuesday

Apr 29, 2014 at 9:33 PM

The second time police arrived at the man's house last week they said he resisted arrest.

Staff Reporter

WHITMAN – It was a rough night last week for one Whitman man.Police were called twice to a house on Bayberry Road to help a woman fighting with her husband on April 23. The second time, just before midnight, police say the man lashed out at responding officers, cutting one on the wrist.

Daniel L. Steele, 37, was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and assault. He was held without bail pending a hearing last week.

Police went to the home around 9 p.m. to assist in a domestic dispute, Chief Scott Benton said.

They returned two hours later when Steele’s wife called 911. She was upset and had fled the house, Benton said.

Upon the officers’ arrival, Steele allegedly become combative, swore at them and threatened them. He appeared to have been drinking, Benton said.

The officers tussled with Steele and he lunged into a fence on the side of the home’s deck before being pepper-sprayed and taken into custody.

Steele declined medical treatment at the police station and the officers did not require hospital transportation, Benton said.